Lenient FIBA sanctions shock Aussie basketball legends

It's been an interesting 24hrs in the Australian basketball landscape, with plenty of complaints about FIBA's findings.

Daniel Kickert has received a five-game suspension for his role in the incident.Photo: Getty Images

It was the incident that shocked the country, and now basketball's governing body, FIBA, has handed down its sanctions from the basketball brawl involving Australia and the Philippines.

Three Aussies received suspensions, with Daniel Kickert copping five games, Thon Maker three, and to the surprise of many Chris Goulding was banned for a game.

Basketball Australia was also fined $134,850 for removing decals prior to the game.

Ten Filipino players were banned, with Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright receiving a game each. Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castron William, and Andray Blatche were on the end of three-match suspensions and finally, Roger Pogoy, Carl Cruz and Jio Jalalon have all been banned for five games.

On top of that, the Philippines assistant coach Joseph Uichico, who hit Chris Goulding with a chair, was only suspended for three games and head coach Chot Reyes just the one.

The federation of basketball in the Philippines will be forced to pay $337,126 because of the incident and will have to play their next home game behind closed doors without a crowd.

Plenty of people are unhappy with the sanctions, but there are a few that stand out in particular as, to put it simply, are bizarre.

Chirs Goulding receiving a suspension despite not throwing a punch or anything of the sort, has people up in arms, while the leniency shown to Jio Jalalon and assistant coach Joseph Uichico, the former delivering a coward's punch to Nathan Sobey during the incident, has not been received well.

Shane Heal, who was calling the game, was quick to speak out about the sanctions, taking to Twitter to vent his frustrations.

I’m still shaking my head about these suspensions. FIBA lost an opportunity to send a powerful message around the world that the disgraceful behaviour we witnessed is not tolerated in basketball. It doesn’t make sense!😡

Andrew Bogut, who just recently announced his return to the country after an impressive career in the NBA, is no stranger to voicing his opinion on social media. Not only did he point out that the 2023 FIBA World Cup is set to be held in the Philippines, but he also made mention of the stiff penalty the referees received.

If you are confused and shocked and what not with the penalties handed out in this FIBA brawl, check where the 2023 World Cup is. Case clo$ed!

Another interesting note of the whole affair was FIBA explaining that through their investigation, no evidence of racist language or taunts were found. This goes against what was written in a report by the ABC.

FIBA proves ABC report was wrong...“Importantly, FIBA’s investigation also determined that no racist language was used by Australian players or nor did it incite the incident as has been alleged.” Continuing coverage on @MacquarieSport